News

Whitney Museum Receives Works by Mary Ann Unger, and an Ugo Rondinone Sculpture Unveiled in Liverpool

Plus, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has unveiled 11 new acquisitions, and Marc Chagall's work sells at a Paris auction.

Deena ElGenaidi

October 25, 2018 — 8 min read

Mary Ann Unger, "Red Vertebrae Series" (1980), birch plywood with paint (image courtesy the Mary Ann Unger Estate) — Mary Ann Unger, “Red Vertebrae Series” (1980), birch plywood with paint (image courtesy the Mary Ann Unger Estate)

The Whitney Museum of American Art received a gift of sculpture and works on paper from the Mary Ann Unger Estate. The gift includes one sculpture and five works on paper produced by Mary Ann Unger between 1978 and 1980. “We are delighted that the family and estate of Mary Ann Unger have chosen The Whitney as the repository for these important works made by a pioneering female sculptor,” said Jane Panetta, associate curator at The Whitney. “The gift will allow the Museum to make people aware of this important female American artist and adds to our holdings of work made by women of this generation.” Unger’s later work, “Across the Bering Strait” (1992–94) will go on view today in the artist’s former home and studio at 5 East Third Street, 8th Floor. The re-installation was curated by Alexandra Schwartz. [via email announcement]

Ugo Rondinone, "Liverpool Mountain" (2018) (photo by Mark McNulty) — Ugo Rondinone, “Liverpool Mountain” (2018) (photo by Mark McNulty)

Artist Ugo Rondinone’s newly commissioned work for the Liverpool Waterfront, commissioned by Liverpool Biennial and Tate Liverpool, was unveiled on Tuesday. The work is called “Liverpool Mountain” and is Rondinone’s first public artwork in the UK. This is part of Rondinone’s Magic Mountain series, with similar sculptures in Miami, Gwangju, and Las Vegas. [via email announcement]

Ceremonial dagger with parrot-shaped hilt, India, Goa (c. 1600), crystal, steel, gold, rubies, emeralds, and pearls (© Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, photo by Thierry Ollivier)

This month, the Louvre Abu Dhabi will unveil 11 new acquisitions in its permanent gallery and 40 new loans from around the world. According to the press release, the new acquisitions include: a monumental Avalokiteshvara Buddhist sculpture from China (11th–12th century); four tapestries depicting “The Hunts of Maximilian” from an original drawing by Bernard van Orley from France (1665–1674); a Japanese Samurai armor (18th century); a rare conical helmet from Mongolia or China (13th–14th century); a Phoenix-headed Ewer from the Tang Dynasty, China (8th century); a rock crystal knife with a jeweled parrot from India (c. 1600); a jeweled katar dagger from India (18th century); a rare Albarello decorated with fleurs-de-lys from Syria or Egypt (14th–15th century); a three medallion Mamluk carpet from Egypt (late 15th century); a rare Ottoman horse armor (15th–16th century); and a Mamluk bowl from Egypt or Syria (late 13th or early 14th century). [via email announcement]

William Crovello, "Curved Curb" (1972), outside the Time-Life building (image via Jim, The Photographer's Flickrstream, 2012) — William Crovello, “Curved Curb” (1972), outside the Time-Life building (image via Jim, The Photographer’s Flickrstream, 2012)

William Crovello’s “Cubed Curve” (1972), once on display in the plaza of the Time-Life building in Midtown Manhattan, was donated to Ursinus College’s Berman Museum by the Rockefeller Group. The sculpture sat in the plaza of the Time-Life building for 42 years and was installed at the Berman Museum on Monday. The official unveiling will be on Saturday, November 3. “We are delighted to receive this major gift, which signals the growth of our collection and programming at the museum,” said Berman Museum Director Charlie Stainback. “Just as it was a recognizable feature in New York City, so too will it be a place marker and meeting place on our campus, as well as a symbol of our commitment to showcasing the best examples of contemporary art.”

Liz Larner, "iv (inflexion)" (2014–15), ceramic, epoxy, and pigment, 21.25 x 37.25 x 9 inches (© Liz Larner, Linda Pace Foundation Collection, Ruby City San Antonio) — Liz Larner, “iv (inflexion)” (2014–15), ceramic, epoxy, and pigment, 21.25 x 37.25 x 9 inches (© Liz Larner, Linda Pace Foundation Collection, Ruby City San Antonio)

Ruby City contemporary art center in San Antonio, Texas has acquired Liz Larner’s ceramic wall relief sculpture “iv (inflexion)” (2014–15) from Regen Projects, Los Angeles. According to the press release, the chromatic surface “is uneven with breaks and fissures, cracks, and a bend that bisects them vertically.” Initially, Larner did not intend for these imperfections, but the the sculpture broke in the process. As a result, she began to explore a “more experimental and unpredictable practice.” [via email announcement]

Ram Kumar, "Untitled (Benares Ghat)" (c. 1960s), oil on canvas, 29 ⅞ x 31 ⅞ inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Ram Kumar, “Untitled (Benares Ghat)” (c. 1960s), oil on canvas, 29 ⅞ x 31 ⅞ inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sale in London brought in a total of £974,313 (~$1,260,000) on October 23. The sale’s top lot, Ram Kumar’s “Untitled (Benares Ghat)” (c. 1960s), sold for £106,250 (~$137,000).

Mathieu Criaerd, a Louis XV gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood, amaranth and marquetry commode (c. 1755) with a Levanto marble top, some mounts with the crowned C mark, height 36 inches, width 65 inches, depth 28 inches (image courtesy Christie's) — Mathieu Criaerd, a Louis XV gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood, amaranth and marquetry commode (c. 1755) with a Levanto marble top, some mounts with the crowned C mark, height 36 inches, width 65 inches, depth 28 inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

Sotheby’s sale of L’Art de Vivre: Property from the Collection of Kathleen and Martin Field in New York brought in a total of $2,251,875 on October 20. The sale’s top lot, a Louis XV gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood, amaranth, and marquetry commode by Mathieu Criaerd, circa 1755, sold for $187,500.

Jean Dubuffet, "Cafetière, Tasse et Soucoupe, Sucrier" (1965), inscribed vernis V14 on the reverse vinyl paint on paper, mounted on canvas, 19 7/8 x 27 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Jean Dubuffet, “Cafetière, Tasse et Soucoupe, Sucrier” (1965), inscribed vernis V14 on the reversevinyl paint on paper, mounted on canvas, 19 7/8 x 27 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s French Cancan by Natalie Seroussi sale in Paris brought in a total of €4,739,750 (~$5,405,000) on October 20. The sale’s top lot, Jean Dubuffet’s “Cafetière, Tasse et Soucoupe, Sucrier [Coffee Cup and Saucer, Sugar Bowl]” (1965), sold for €669,000 (~$763,000).

Marc Chagall, "La Mariée au Collier" (1977–80), oil on canvas, 23 3/4 x 28 7/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Marc Chagall, “La Mariée au Collier” (1977–80), oil on canvas, 23 3/4 x 28 7/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s Art Impressionniste et Moderne sale in Paris brought in a total of €6,021,500 (~$6,867,000) on October 19. The sale’s top lot, Marc Chagall’s “La Mariée au Collier [The Bride at the Necklace]” (1977–80), sold for €825,000 (~$941,000).

René Magritte,"La Table, L'Océan et le Fruit" (1927), oil on canvas, 19 5/8 x 25 5/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — René Magritte,”La Table, L’Océan et le Fruit” (1927), oil on canvas, 19 5/8 x 25 5/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s sale of Works from the Oscar Mairlot Collection from Magritte to Zao Wou-Ki in Paris brought in a total of €7,026,750 (~$8,013,000) on October 19. The sale’s top lot, René Magritte’s “La Table, L’Océan et le Fruit” (1927) sold for €1,929,000 ($2,200,000).

Jasper Johns, "Cicada (Ulae 215)" (1981), the complete set of six screenprints in colors, images: 447 x 342 mm, 17 5/8 x 13 1/2 inches, sheets approx.: 557 x 460 mm, 21 7/8 x 18 1/8 inches (image courtesy Christie's) — Jasper Johns, “Cicada (Ulae 215)” (1981), the complete set of six screenprints in colors, images: 447 x 342 mm, 17 5/8 x 13 1/2 inches, sheets approx.: 557 x 460 mm, 21 7/8 x 18 1/8 inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

Sotheby’s sale of Prints & Multiples in New York brought in a total of $11,937,479 on October 18–22. The sale’s top lot, Jasper Johns’s “Cicada (Ulae 215)” (1981), sold for $1,215,000.

Paul Cézanne, "Abricots et Cerises Sur une Assiette" (c. 1877–79), oil on canvas, 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Paul Cézanne, “Abricots et Cerises Sur une Assiette” (c. 1877–79), oil on canvas, 6 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s La collection Renand-Chapet sale in Paris brought in a total of €5,458,875 (~$6,225,000) on October 18. The sale’s top lot, Paul Cézanne’s “Abricots et Cerises Sur une Assiette [Apricots and Cherries On a Plate]” (c. 1877–79), sold for €1,809,000 (~$2,063,000).

Auguste Rodin, "Penseur, Petit Modèle" (c. 1920), height: 14 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Auguste Rodin, “Penseur, Petit Modèle” (c. 1920), height: 14 3/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s Modernités sale in Paris brought in a total of €9,606,500 (~$10,955,000) on October 18. The sale’s top lot, Auguste Rodin’s “Penseur, Petit Modèle [Thinker, Small Model]” (c. 1880–81) sold for €2,409,000 (~$2,747,000).

A Dutch gold snuff box, Jacobus de Gilde, Amsterdam (1761), the hinged cover finely chased with figures of Faith seated with cross and bible, Hope standing with anchor on clouds, and Charity seated with two infants, landscape background with incense burner, all within rococo frame, marked inside base, and with later control mark, length 2 1/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — A Dutch gold snuff box, Jacobus de Gilde, Amsterdam (1761), the hinged cover finely chased with figures of Faith seated with cross and bible, Hope standing with anchor on clouds, and Charity seated with two infants, landscape background with incense burner, all within rococo frame, marked inside base, and with later control mark,length 2 1/4 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s Collections and Curiosities sale in New York brought in a total of $2,326,125 on October 18. The sale’s top lot, a Dutch gold snuff box, Jacobus de Gilde, Amsterdam (1761) sold for $75,000.

A highly important blue and white Iznik pottery charger, Turkey (c. 1480), of large, deep, rounded form, with an everted flat rim, the interior decorated in reserve within a central roundel against a blue-black ground with an intricate arabesque of interlacing split-palmette ‘rumi’ motifs in two shades of blue and white emanating from a small central rosette, the cavetto displaying a thick band of corresponding design surmounted by a thin band of interlocking key fret motifs, the flat rim ornamented with a band of scrolling floral ‘hatayi’ flowers in white, the reverse decorated with a wide band of ‘hatayi’ lotus scrolls in blue on a white ground, thin double blue lines and a single bracketed line embellishing the underside of the rim, 44.5 cm. diameter, 8.3 cm. depth (image courtesy Sotheby's) — A highly important blue and white Iznik pottery charger, Turkey (c. 1480), of large, deep, rounded form, with an everted flat rim, the interior decorated in reserve within a central roundel against a blue-black ground with an intricate arabesque of interlacing split-palmette ‘rumi’ motifs in two shades of blue and white emanating from a small central rosette, the cavetto displaying a thick band of corresponding design surmounted by a thin band of interlocking key fret motifs, the flat rim ornamented with a band of scrolling floral ‘hatayi’ flowers in white, the reverse decorated with a wide band of ‘hatayi’ lotus scrolls in blue on a white ground, thin double blue lines and a single bracketed line embellishing the underside of the rim, 44.5 cm. diameter, 8.3 cm. depth (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s Arts of the Islamic World sale in London brought in a total of £8,988,325 (~$11,595,000) on October 24. The sale’s top lot, a highly important blue and white Iznik pottery charger, Turkey, circa 1480, sold for £5,359,950 (~$6,914,367.66).

Mahmoud Sabri, "Iraqi Jnazet (Funeral)" (1961), oil on canvas mounted on board, 39 3/8 x 55 1/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby's) — Mahmoud Sabri, “Iraqi Jnazet (Funeral)” (1961), oil on canvas mounted on board, 39 3/8 x 55 1/8 inches (image courtesy Sotheby’s)

Sotheby’s sale of 20th Century Art/Middle East in London brought in a total of £2,488,000 (~$3,210,000) on October 23. The sale’s top lot, Mahmoud Sabri’s “Iraqi Jnazet (Funeral)” (1961), sold for £346,000 (~$446,000).

Marc Chagall "Les mariés au bord de la Seine" (c. 1980), tempera and oil on canvas, 28¾ x 21¼ inches (image courtesy Christie's) — Marc Chagall “Les mariés au bord de la Seine” (c. 1980), tempera and oil on canvas, 28¾ x 21¼ inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

Christie’s Art Moderne sale in Paris brought in a total of €10,139,750 (~$11,550,000) on October 18. The sale’s top lot, Marc Chagall’s “Les mariés au bord de la Seine [The bride and groom on the banks of the Seine]” (c. 1980), sold for €1,543,500 (~$1,758,000).

Max Ernst, "Âmes-sœurs" (1961), brown patina, bronze green, height: 36 inches (image courtesy Christie's) — Max Ernst, “Âmes-sœurs” (1961), brown patina, bronze green, height: 36 inches (image courtesy Christie’s)

Christie’s She Was a Giant Collection Bénédicte Pesle sale in Paris brought in a total of €3,241,625 (~$3,692,000) on October 18. The sale’s top lot, Max Ernst’s “Âmes-sœurs [Soulmates]” (1961), sold for €787,500 (~$897,000).